Hand Carved Headstones

 

With the wave of European immigrants in the early 1900s, the granite industry had many talented hands that could sculpt full relief and bas relief carvings. Bas relief is defined as relief sculpture in which the figure projects slightly from the background. This process dates back to the early 1600's French sculptors.

Today's monument industry finds this talent in short supply, and many manufacturers simply aren't able to offer this service. At Century we're fortunate to have the talented hands of Mike Jones. Mike has a natural ability to sculpt stone and often works from photos without creating clay or plaster models. This reduces the time and expense to produce the finished work. His work is incredibly lifelike and creates quite an impression in the cemetery. While full relief sculpture can be expensive, bas relief as shown in the photo, is more economical - yet is very impressive.

Century Harmony also furnishes imported statues and relief carvings. The cost of imported work can be much lower, but the delivery time is much longer. You'll find more photos of Mike's work in our sculpture brochure, or you can ask your Century sales representative for quotes or to discuss your next project.

Columbaria and Cremation Gardens

Cremation gardens are amazingly beautiful and peaceful sanctuaries created for those visiting the cremated remains of loved ones. Cremation gardens can be an integral part of a church, cemetery or other public memorial park. For those who choose not to scatter remains, a small "room", or niche, can be purchased to house the cremation urn or box. These niches are sold as burial property, much like purchasing a grave or burial site. 

Niches are housed in a larger structure, called a columbarium. These can range in sizes from a 2 niche columbarium to a 96 (or larger) niche columbarium. The smaller versions are for personal use, such as a 2 niche for a husband and wife, or a larger 4 niche for an entire family.

The largest columbaria serve multiple individuals and families. These are utilized to create spaces throughout the garden. Together, they work to create a peaceful place to reflect and pay respect to lost loved ones. These large columbaria can range in size from 10 to 96 niches (or larger), and by combining several different pieces, can house hundreds of cremation containers. Cremation gardens are usually professionally designed by architects or landscape architects to make effective use of the space allotted, while incorporating lush landscape features such as fountains and seating areas. These gardens are timeless memorials for those choosing to purchase a cremation niche and are tranquil places for visitors.

Cremation Benches

 

Cremation rates have been on the rise for the past few years. In 2010, the cremation rate in the United States was up to 40.62%. It is predicted that by the year 2015, the U.S. cremation rate will be 46.57%. (Source: Cremation Association of North America) 

Once cremation has been chosen over standard ground burial, an important decision becomes "what to do with the cremains"? Many people choose to hold cremains in a decorative urn, or scatter cremation ashes in a ceremony to honor their loved one. But a growing number of families are also considering a resting place for the cremains, where family members can go to pay their respects.

There are many ways that families can memorialize cremains. One of the most popular memorials is a cremation bench. Benches of all different sizes can be designed to hold anywhere from one to four cremain containers, allowing a bench to become a memorial for the entire family.

Sandblasting and carving can be used to add the family name and artwork and emblems. When considering a veteran bronze marker from the VA, benches offer ample room for the VA marker as well as a companion bronze marker, as shown on the Century Veteran's Bench above. Carving, lettering, and bronze markers allow for custom designs for any cremation memorial bench.

Basic Granite Monument Types

  

Upright Monuments

• Designed to stand straight up perpendicular to level ground.
• The engraved marker portion is known as a "die." Most are usually 6" or 8" thick, but can be produced up to 1’ thick and sometimes more depending on the stone and the quarry it comes from.
• The horizontal portion is known as the base and is usually required. When there is no base to the monument, it is known as a monolith.
• The larger size allows for more personalized expression and room for engraving.
• Scenic designs and the family name are popular additions on the back.

  

Slant Monuments

• Upright slant shape. The thickness identified during ordering is the thickness of the base.
• The top is usually 2 inches thick.
• The top can be flat, oval, or serpentine shaped.
• A standard 2 inch to 4 inch nosing is recommended. This protects the polished etched surface.
• A base is optional and usually not required.
• May be used for individual or companion.

Flat Markers

• Designed to lie flat at lawn level.
• All are a minimum of 4 inches thick.
• Provides burial information for a single individual.
• May be used for individual or ordered double width for a companion.
• Perfect application for adding bronze, some cemetery restrictions may require
bronze on granite. 

  

Bevel Markers

• Often called a Pillow Marker or Hickey.
• Slight bevel slant from back to front of marker.
• The back is 2" thicker than the front to provide this bevel effect
• May be used for individual or companion.
• Usually 6" or 8" thick, however, thicker markers are available. 

Ledgers

• Designed to lie flat at lawn level.
• All are a minimum of 4 inches thick.
• Covers the entire length of the buried.
• The larger size allows for more personalized expression and room for engraving.